Hey book friends, have you ever thought about living in a world where your blood type decides everything about your life? That's the world in "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard.
So, the world is split between two groups. The Silvers have these amazing powers and run the show, while the Reds are just trying to get by. But then Mare Barrow, a Red, finds out she has powers too, which It's a new twist on the usual balance of power.
As you follow Mare's journey, you'll see her dealing with militant resistance, figuring out who she is, and fighting for equality. It's not just about her special powers; it's about questioning everything she's ever known.
If you're curious about how it all unfolds, maybe check out "Red Queen." It's got a unique take on power and society that might get you thinking.
Book Details and Content
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Title | |
My rating | 3/5 Stars |
Author | Victoria Aveyard |
HarperTeen | |
Series | Red Queen Series |
Other Books in the Series | Broken Throne (Anthology + bonus content) Cruel Crown (Prequel Novellas) |
Genre | Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance, Fiction, Fantasy |
Violence | moderate |
Romance | 1 |
Drug/Alcohol use | You'll occasionally see characters having a drink at parties or gatherings, which helps show the gap between the ruling and oppressed classes. |
Spiritual Content | While "Red Queen" doesn't delve deep into spiritual themes, it does touch on ideas of belief and loyalty. Characters are often guided by their convictions and trust in leaders or causes. So, there's a sort of spiritual vibe in how they hold onto their beliefs during the intense power struggles. |
Language | mild |
Tropes | The Chosen One Love Triangle Dystopian Society: Rebellion Against Oppression |
Themes | Power and Corruption Social Inequality Identity and Transformation Rebellion and Resistance Loyalty and Betrayal |
Awards and Recognition | Buxtehuder Bulle (2015), South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult (2017), California Young Readers Medal for Young Adult (2017), Lincoln Award (2017), Truman Readers Award (2018), Goodreads Choice Award for Debut Goodreads Author, and Nominee for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2015) |
Types of Readers | Dystopian Lovers: If you're into worlds with strict class systems and oppressive rulers, you'll enjoy this. Young Adult Fans: Perfect for those who like stories about growing up and strong, relatable characters. Action Seekers: If you love a fast-moving plot with lots of excitement and suspense, this one's for you. Fantasy Buffs: Great for anyone fascinated by unique powers and imaginative settings. Romance Followers: If a bit of romance mixed into the main story intrigues you, you'll find it here. |
What is the Red Queen About?
"Red Queen" follows Mare Barrow, a young girl living in a world divided by blood. The Silver elite in possession of deadly powers, rule over the Reds, who are ordinary and oppressed. Mare, a Red, discovers she has superhuman abilities—something unheard of for someone of her status. This discovery throws her into the dangerous world of the Silvers.
To keep her secret safe, Mare is forced to play the role of a long-lost Silver princess. While navigating royal politics and dangerous manipulations, she becomes involved in a rebellion against the oppressive Silver regime. The story is a mix of action, intrigue, and a bit of romance as Mare learns who she can trust and how to use her newfound power to fight for justice in a world that desperately needs change.
My Spoiler-free review
I had high expectations for this book. But, to be honest, there's nothing personal against the author. It's just that her writing style or maybe the storytelling didn't quite grab me. I had to muster all my willpower not to put it down for good! The entire book had me rolling my eyes at the unnecessary love triangle. Also, some annoying characters and slow parts made it drag a bit.
That said, the book did have its redeeming qualities. The plot twists were pretty engaging and kept me turning the pages. Because of those surprises, I decided it deserved a fair 3-star rating.
I was so excited about this book, but it ended up being a bit dull. It had all the fantasy elements I usually enjoy, but it just didn't resonate with me. Now I'm on the fence about whether to continue with the series. Overall, it was a bit of a letdown, and I'm left feeling somewhat disappointed.
My Overall Thoughts
It's been more than a year since I read this book, yet my feelings remain mixed. Normally, I share my initial thoughts on Goodreads or StoryGraph and then take some time—often many months—before writing a full review. With "Red Queen," I struggled to get invested because I kept comparing it to other dystopian books with fantasy elements I preferred. However, the premise was intriguing. Here's what I didn't like and what I did enjoy.
What I Liked:
There were parts of "Red Queen" that kept me interested. The idea of a world where people are divided by their blood—Reds being ruled by the powerful Silvers—was pretty cool and added a new twist to the usual classist story. I liked how the arena battles showed the huge gap between these groups and how the Silvers were in charge. Even though I would've liked more detail about the world and the Scarlet Guard, the setup of these problems and potential fights was engaging. Maven’s betrayal was a major twist that took me by surprise. I didn’t see it coming because he played the role of Mare’s ally so well, pretending to support her while secretly plotting against her. This deceit made the story much more exciting and added depth to his character, showing how far he was willing to go for power.
I also enjoyed Julian and Kilorn as characters. Julian brought wisdom and shared secret knowledge with Mare, adding layers to the story. His role as a mentor was comforting and provided Mare with the tools she needed to navigate the complex world of the Silvers. And Kilorn, Mare’s loyal friend, helped keep things relatable with their shared past. Even in dangerous situations, his steadfast loyalty and determination to stand by Mare made his character appealing. These parts made some scenes worthwhile and were why I gave the book three stars, even with its ups and downs.
What I Disliked:
As I read more, the excitement started to fade, and the book got kind of dull. The pacing felt off, especially in the middle, with twists that you could see coming, slowing it down. Mare, the main character, didn’t resonate with me. Her decisions often seemed inconsistent, like how quickly she trusted Maven despite all the palace drama. She was frustratingly naive at times, missing obvious warning signs, which took away from the story's tension. Her interactions with Cal and Maven lacked depth, and the love triangle felt a bit forced. I kept comparing "Red Queen" to other dystopian stories, like "The Hunger Games," that handled similar themes better, which made it tough to stay interested. The middle sections seemed filled with unnecessary stuff instead of moving the story forward, especially during the repeated training sessions that didn’t do much for character development or the plot.
Would I recommend it as a Christian?
Yes, I would recommend "Red Queen" to Christians, but with a few things to keep in mind. The story has strong themes of justice and standing up for what's right, which I feel is important for young adults to read about. It also makes you think about tough choices and what’s moral, which can lead to some good discussions.
However, the book does have some violent scenes and complex characters that might be a bit dark for some readers. This might be a bit much for younger readers or those who don’t like heavy themes. So, while I think it’s a good read with lots to offer, it's important to consider if you’re comfortable with these elements and if they fit with your values.
Plot Summary
At the heart of this story is Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old red girl, working class, living in the kingdom of Norta. Reds, like Mare's family, work under the rule of the Silver-blooded elite, who possess extraordinary powers.
Mare's family barely survives, with her three brothers off fighting in a distant war and her sister Gisa being the primary breadwinner. Mare's pickpocketing contributes to their meager finances, and she shares a close bond with Kilorn, her best friend. When Kilorn faces conscription, Mare's heart breaks, knowing the frontlines may soon claim her as well. In desperation, she seeks out Will Whistle, a local black market dealer, who introduces her to Farley, the fierce leader of the Scarlet Guard, a rebel group. Farley offers them a risky escape from the military draft for a steep price.
To gather the funds, Mare goes with sister Gisa to work in Summerton where the Silvers court and live in luxury. But chaos ensues when a terrorist attack caused by The Scarlet Guard raises tensions, leading to Gisa's capture and punishment. Devastated, Mare doesn't return home but instead encounters Cal, a young man who, despite the odds, offers her money when she is caught stealing. The plot thickens when Mare lands an unexpected job at the palace, discovering Cal is none other than the Crown Prince.
Mare serves the royal court during the Queenstrial. This event is a significant event where young women from Silver noble families compete to display their abilities in front of the royal family. The goal is to showcase their powers and win the favor of the crown prince, Prince Cal, in hopes of becoming his bride and the future queen.
As Evangeline is showing off her metal-manipulating abilities during the event, she causes a commotion with her powerful display that leads Mare to fall from the box where she is serving the Silver elite. Instead of getting injured by the protective barrier when she hit it, her hidden ability to control electricity is revealed, surprising everyone around her.
To hide that Mare is a red blood with silver abilities The royals create a charade: Mare is declared the lost daughter of a noble Silver, ensuring her family's protection and her brothers' safe return. The arrangement includes an engagement to Prince Maven, the king and queen's younger son, while Cal is matched with Evangeline.
In the weeks that follow, Mare has to adapt to her new life among the Silvers. She learns to control her electrical powers while pretending to be one of them, all the while searching for a way to sabotage the Silvers from the inside.
Mare secretly teams up with the Scarlet Guard, a group fighting for Red rights. To her surprise, Maven, Prince Cal's younger brother, claims he's on their side too. Together, they come up with a plan to take out important Silver leaders at a big ball before the royal family heads back to the capital.
At the ball, their plan seems to work, and they manage to kill some key Silvers. But things go wrong when Kilorn, one of Mare's close friends, and other members of the Guard are caught. Mare knows her secret is at risk, so she makes a daring move to help them escape. The next day, the royal family leaves for the capital.
Maven suggests the Guard should try to take over. The Guard agrees, but when they attempt it, everything falls apart. Mare and Maven are arrested, and Maven reveals he was tricking her the whole time. He and his mother, Queen Elara, force Cal to kill his father, blaming him for the murder. Mare and Cal are then sentenced to death.
They're put into a public fight for their execution. Cal can use his fire powers, but Mare's are blocked. During the fight, Mare cleverly tricks an enemy into killing the Silver who's stopping her powers, and with her powers free, she and Cal manage to win. Still, Maven sends in soldiers to finish them off.
Just when things seem hopeless, the Scarlet Guard comes to the rescue, saving Mare and Cal. They escape, but the story ends with the Guard retreating to plan their next move.
Conclusion
Looking back on my experience with "Red Queen," I started with high expectations and genuine excitement. Being a fan of dystopian fantasy books, I hoped to be gripped by its world. Unfortunately, the connection I sought wasn't there. It's not a critique of Victoria Aveyard personally—her writing style/storytelling just didn't click with me, and I found it hard to stay engaged.
However, the book did have its strengths. The plot twists were engaging and kept me reading. Those surprises added some intrigue that I appreciated.
Ultimately, while "Red Queen" had the fantasy elements I usually enjoy, it didn't quite meet my expectations. I'm now unsure about continuing with the series. I do hope that future books will fill in the gaps that the first book lacked. Overall, it left me feeling a bit disappointed, but not every book can be a perfect fit.
Curious to see if "Red Queen" resonates with you differently? Dive into its pages and discover if this fantasy world captures your imagination. Perhaps you'll find a connection where I couldn't!
Happy Reading!